Augusta, 07 April: Augusta bared its fangs on Friday and exposed the grave dangers that surround the quest for immortality through the Masters. Jordan Spieth gave away three shots in the first two holes and suddenly the tournament felt as open as it was before it started. Patrick Reed and Marc Leishman played with monk-like calm amidst gusting winds to draw clear at the top of the field.
Spieth followed his first round 66 with a 74 in the second round. Rory McIlroy took the opportunity with both hands, making a disciplined 71 to draw even with his rival.
Leishman rode on three birdies at the start and a spectacular eagle on the 15th to score 67 in the second round. He is 7-under going into the weekend, just two adrift from Reed.
With most of the field occupied with managing the difficult course, Reed made it seem as though he was playing in the neighbouring Augusta Country Club. Reed poured in nine birdies in a prolific round that saw him break into double digits before ending the day at 9-under.
Leishman posted a brilliant eagle at the 15th to plant himself firmly between Reed and the rest of the field.
“My iron play has been pretty good. And my putter has been good as well. That is key here in Augusta,” said Marc Leishman. “I hit some good shots to start my round. I made three birdies to begin and finished off well, especially the approach shot at the 15th hole.
“It is a great leaderboard. Always an awesome leaderboard here at the Masters. But we will have to just focus on our game and make sure we play well in the weather that is expected tomorrow.”
Tiger Woods was hoping to get up the order with a good low round. But he sailed a bit wayward off the tee and indulged in a painful game of hide and seek with the greens as he stumbled to a 75. At 4-over he is 13 strokes back and nearly certainly out of reckoning for a fifth Masters title.
The 27 year old Reed made a hattrick of birdies, not once but three times in a memorable second round that took him to 9-under 135.
